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The MAGIC ingredient to GREAT PHOTOGRAPHY (it isn’t what you think!)



I explore what helps me get the most out of my photography in my first trip out locally since lockdown.

My 50+ online course on landscape photography – https://geni.us/athome50

Get a free 19 page eBook if you sign up for my newsletter – https://www.nigeldanson.com/newsletter-sign-up

Instagram (follow my daily stories) – https://www.instagram.com/nigel.danson/

Where I get my AWESOME MUSIC – https://goo.gl/7LWnFh

All my gear (inc. clothes) is listed here – https://www.nigeldanson.com/nigeldanson-camera-gear

NIKON GEAR (Main STILLS camera)

Current landscape camera – Nikon Z7 – http://geni.us/nikonz7
Awesome telephoto lens – Nikon 70-200m f/2.8 – http://geni.us/nikon70200
Fav lens – Nikon 24-70mm Z f4 – http://geni.us/nikon2470
Great wide angle lens – Nikon 16-35mm f/4 -http://geni.us/MCglWI
Amazing Bokeh – Sigma 24mm f1.4 https://geni.us/Sigma24

FUJI GEAR (Main FILM camera)

Fujifilm X-T3 – http://geni.us/fujifilmxt3
Awesome Bokeh – Fuji XF35mm F2 – http://geni.us/fuji35f2
Sharpest long zoom – Fuji 50-140mm F2.8 https://geni.us/fuji50140
Killer wide angle lens – Fuji 10-24mm F4 – http://geni.us/fuji1024

OTHER PHOTO GEAR

Kase Filters – https://geni.us/Kase | And use code NIGEL for 5% off
Awesome sensor brush – https://geni.us/brush4sensor
GorillaPod – geni.us/Kb9mV
The great printer I use Canon P1000 – http://geni.us/cIIc
Clever camera strap (peak design) – http://geni.us/PDstrap
Great bag for hiking – Tenba 24L – http://geni.us/orPwh
Great bag for travel (carry on) – Tenba 32L – https://geni.us/tenba32l
Super light Benro Travel Tripod UK – https://geni.us/Benrotravel
A must have for tripod (L bracket) – https://geni.us/myLbracket
Lightweight tripod – Benro Mach3 Carbon Fiber Tripod – https://geni.us/benromach3
Paper I use for all my prints – Fotospeed – https://geni.us/fotospeed Use DANSON10 to get 10% off your paper.
Screw on ND filter – https://geni.us/polarproND

Original source

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41 responses to “The MAGIC ingredient to GREAT PHOTOGRAPHY (it isn’t what you think!)”

  1. Some of those not so great shots are where you can do things in photo editing to push, or go past the limits. You don't have to worry about screwing up a good photo, but may find a technique that will benefit you when editing a great photo.

  2. Nigel it's good you stepped out in nature and enjoyed. It doesn't matter if the images turned out or not as per your expectations. Key is to be inspired and continue shooting, which is a key take away so thank you 🙏

  9. Most photographers on YouTube go and visit all the same places/countries and take similar pictures. Its nice to see you are attempting
    something different which is more realistic and more useful for most photographers that watch YouTube. Thanks Nigel.

  10. Love your honesty in this video Nigel. It's nice to hear that my YouTube heroes also have days where the stars don't align. However, I don't think landscape photography is just about the photos we get, I believe it's also about experiencing the beauty of this world we live in.

  11. Best video I have seen today. As much as I dislike that you are in a funk, but elated that you are exploring the simplest of subjects. I am in no way comparing my skills to yours when I say I am in somewhat if the same funk. I'm just not feeling it. I LOVE photography, but hate the editing process. I have loads of photos that I have yet to look at because of that one reason. That one thing has stalled me to go take pictures. I admire you for making this video!

  14. You needed to be where I am in Australia as we just had the most magnificent butterfly season I can remember! It inspired me to get out in my backyard and video and photograph them so I could share them with others, and I just love how when you do macro you suddenly find all these creatures you never noticed before. My macro photography is ok but lots to learn still – as you say it’s fun working with something new. And I absolutely agree: your connection to the subject is definitely the most important thing.

  16. Nigel thanks for sharing these observations…I've been doing the same as you…getting out and photographing birds and flowers (not my usual subject matter) and I have to say, I really enjoyed it — but out of hundreds of photos I would only get 3-4 that I liked. Also, this weekend I took a road trip to the Alabama Hills for the first time. I've been seeing AMAZING photos from this area, and I have to say that I just really didn't come away with any photos that excited me enough to post, so I started to doubt my abilities as a photographer. But in the end, that's OK, because I really enjoyed exploring and seeing the beautiful scenery. I have to remind myself that one of the reasons I love doing Landscape photography so much is really just being out in nature.

  23. Thanks for sharing your…non-success. I always see perfect shots and I tend to think why do I have so few good shots. Inspiring. And, yes, a very important component of going to take pics is being out in nature. IG: @pierrcast

  26. Completely agree needing inspiration and getting that excitment to create something. I've been in a creative block for months! I'm finally going out this evening for sunset. Inspiration finally hit me, and feel the NEED for create something. Anything. Don't care if it's a brilliant piece of work or not. I've got the creative bug bad today lol

  27. Not bad. The trouble was that I reposted with brilliant commentary to all my friends, anticipating a brilliant video, but clearly deciding far too early in the film, inspired by that wonderful sunrise portion you began with and believing we were all bound for a magical moment — well how was I to know that inspiration failed you. I must admit that at the very beginning when you told us the time of morning I did wonder why you were up at that ungodly hour, but nevertheless I did post (too early) while on the chilly wait for sun. Oh well, I'll just have to to a text edit tempering my adulation. Until the next time and looking forward to an "inspired sunrise".

  30. I feel the magic in landscape photography is just being there and admiring the natural beauty all around you. Flowers, golden glow, sunset colors, varying shades of green in spring, foliage in fall … and the list goes on. Then there's the challenge of creating a composition out of, often, chaos. Then, every so often, you get a fantastic "keeper" and your spirit is ignited to go out again. I watch that in your videos. Thanks for sharing!

  32. I am in my 50's and just starting photography. Your message in this video is just what I needed to hear. I was frustrated by all the technical things and losing focus of the main thing. Thank you for reminding me what the art of photography is all about. You have inspired me to keep going.

  36. Hey Nigel!
    Watched the video till the end, and I have to say, that I feel like that more often lately.
    Ofcourse I'm not even half as good photographer as you, but still. I have been going out to the woods and beaches and I just find myself enjoying nature, rather than taking camera out and shoot. And I thought that it's just my thing, that I struggle to find inspiration lately.
    Thank you for the video, it showed me that it is totally okay to get uninspired from time to time.
    Have a hike, enjoy the nature, and if the shot is there, it will tell you!
    Cheerd Nigel!

  38. Great video Nigel. I always believe that we photograph best the things we love the best, so that emotional connection is so important. Your video highlights this. I've just discovered a magical beech wood this morning and it got me so excited. Looking forward to trying to communicate that. Go well.

  39. I was supposed to travel and take pictures for 6 months in New Zealand but I unfortunately have had to come back urgently because of COVID-19. Instead of being mad at the situation, it turns out that it has been a real opportunity for me to improve my skills at lightroom and photoshop. And to be fair, you've been both amazing at teaching and giving me inspiration to do so: I love how humble, honest and passionate you are in your videos, thanks man!

  40. Love this message and I relate in so many ways. I try to bring my camera everywhere with me to attempt to capture those moments that not everyone might see whether it's astro or sunrise or just the way something casts a shadow under the right conditions. There are soo many things that the everyday person misses or doesn't think anything of in their daily lives and as long as I do my best to capture that image, whatever it may be, it doesn't matter if I love it or not that's what keeps me coming back everyday. And there's soo many times that I'm in a beautiful setting and I know I'm not going to get the shot I want or just don't see anything that inspires me. and that's the beauty of photography, everyone has a different eye and different inspiration and will come back with something unique every time.

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